Menstrual Leave Policy

Our menstrual workplace policy, co-written by Casimira Melican and Grace Mountford in 2016, and supported by The Waratah Project research allows staff members who are experiencing symptoms of menstruation or menopause the option to work flexibly. The result? Exactly what you’d expect; greater productivity and a happier work environment. Media attention around our menstrual workplace policy has attracted an audience of over 6.2 million people.

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Since May 2016 the Trust has been trialing a menstrual workplace policy at VWT. Experiences of menstruation and menopause can be very debilitating, yet we have been enculturated to mask their existence in the workplace, at schools and at home. This policy supports employees in their ability to adequately self-care during their period and menopause, while not being penalised by having to deplete their sick leave. Periods and menopause are not a sickness after all. This policy also seeks to remove the stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation and menopause.

In early June 2017, VWT Research and Advocacy Officer Casimira Melican spoke about our new policy with Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore and others on Channel Ten’s The Project. Watch the video on Facebook here.

Casimira also appeared on ABC triple j’s hack which you can listen to here (episode #99) or read about here in August 2018 in response to research by the University of Western Sydney that 40 per cent of Australian women and girls skip work or school due to their periods.

Casimira continues to have wonderful phone calls and emails with individuals and organisations who are researching workplace policies which empower those who menstruate; interested in incorporating the menstrual policy into their workplace policies; and advocating for the inclusion of a menstrual policy into their enterprise bargaining agreements.